crypto kidnapping – The Shib Daily

Kidnapper of Canada’s ‘Crypto King’ Pleads Guilty in Wild $16M Saga

Michaela — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:12:09 +0000

Deren Akyeam-Pong has admitted guilt to nine offenses, including kidnapping, assault, and multiple firearm-related charges, in connection with the kidnapping of Ontario’s self-styled “Crypto King,” Aiden Pleterski.

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Deren Akyeam-Pong pleaded guilty to nine charges, including kidnapping, assault, and firearms offenses, in the abduction of Ontario’s “Crypto King,” Aiden Pleterski.
Pleterski allegedly misused over $16 million of investor funds, with only $3 million recovered from more than $40 million raised, fueling the high-profile kidnapping case.
Co-accused Akil Heywood, a former investor tasked with recovering missing funds, was arrested in 2023; Pleterski faces upcoming fraud and money laundering trial in October 2025.

According to a report from CBC, Akyeam-Pong entered guilty pleas in the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto, supported by an agreed statement of facts outlining his involvement in the case. His admission prompted defense lawyers for the remaining co-accused to seek an adjournment, delaying the trial that had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

Akil Heywood, one of the other defendants in the abduction of Ontario’s “Crypto King,” was a former investor in Pleterski’s ventures who allegedly lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The case stems from Pleterski’s widely publicized 2022 bankruptcy, which exposed the collapse of his lavish lifestyle built on investor funds.

The “Crypto King” was known for flaunting wealth through private jets and luxury cars, yet court filings claim he misappropriated over $16 million in investor money. Of the more than $40 million he reportedly raised through cryptocurrency and foreign exchange schemes, only about $3 million has been recovered. Heywood was initially enlisted by investors to assist in retrieving the missing funds before being arrested in 2023.

On the same day CBC reporters confirmed Heywood’s arrest, a 12-minute video surfaced showing a bruised and distressed Pleterski apologizing to investors and outlining how their funds were used. Although the footage appeared to include an admission of wrongdoing, Pleterski’s legal team maintains that the statement was made under duress.

In May 2024, Pleterski was arrested and formally charged with fraud and money laundering connected to the same investments that led to his 2022 abduction. His trial is scheduled to begin in October 2025.

The kidnapping case of the Ontario “Crypto King” draws attention to the growing risks surrounding high-profile crypto ventures and the potential consequences when vast sums of investor funds are mishandled.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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Texas Brothers Charged in Minnesota Crypto Kidnapping and Theft Case

Michaela — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:59:20 +0000

Two Texas brothers have been charged with seven felonies after allegedly kidnapping victims at gunpoint and forcing them to transfer at least $36,000 to an undisclosed cryptocurrency wallet.

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Two Texas brothers face seven felony charges for allegedly carrying out a crypto kidnapping, forcing a Minnesota family to transfer at least $36,000 to an unknown crypto wallet.
Police recovered evidence including a hidden AR-15, clothing, and a rental car, which helped trace the suspects’ movements from Texas to Minnesota.
The victim noted a possible connection to a previous data breach, emphasizing growing security risks for crypto holders as targeted thefts and violent crimes rise.

According to CBS News, the brothers face three counts each of using a firearm to commit kidnapping, three counts of first-degree assault during a burglary with a firearm, and one count of first-degree robbery with a firearm.

Documents indicated that on September 19, at around 5 p.m., a man from Minnesota contacted police, reporting that he and his family were held at gunpoint in their home. The caller stated that his father had been forced to transfer funds to an unknown cryptocurrency wallet.

The victim’s father was then compelled to drive approximately three hours to a family cabin. Upon arrival, he was forced to transfer at least an additional $36,000 to an unidentified crypto wallet. The victim’s father later informed investigators that he suspected some of his account information had been exposed in a previous data breach.

Furthermore, charging documents revealed that police discovered a suitcase hidden in a tree line near the home containing an AR-15 style rifle, clothing, and various bottles and cans. Investigators also found a Wendy’s receipt among the items, which helped trace a rental car used during the incident. The vehicle had been rented near Houston, Texas, several days prior to the kidnapping.

Security footage shows the rental car parked outside a Waller, Texas home shared by the renter and his brother. The vehicle was also spotted at a Roseville, Minnesota motel, where multiple rooms had been booked starting September 17.

The two brothers allegedly approached a victim early last Friday morning as he was taking out the trash and forced him into the garage, where he was restrained. Wearing dark clothing, masks, and armed, the suspects then entered the home, bound the rest of the family, and held them at gunpoint in a bedroom for nine hours.

As the investigation into the case continues, it is notable that the victim pointed to a potential link between the incident and a previous data breach, spotlighting ongoing concerns about the security of digital assets.

This case is part of a growing trend in which digital asset holders have increasingly become targets for crypto kidnapping and violent crimes. In response, many are taking extra precautions to safeguard their funds, personal safety, and the well-being of their families.

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Crypto Kidnapping: India Jails 14, Including Cops & Ex-MLA

Michaela — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:53:18 +0000

An Indian anti-corruption court has sentenced 14 individuals to life imprisonment for a 2018 crypto kidnapping case in which Surat businessman Shailesh Bhatt was abducted and coerced into handing over cryptocurrency.

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An Indian anti-corruption court sentenced 14 people, including 11 police officers and former legislator Nalin Kotadiya, to life in prison for the 2018 kidnapping and extortion of businessman Shailesh Bhatt over cryptocurrency.
Bhatt was forced to transfer 34 Bitcoin and was later threatened with an additional 176 BTC and ₹32 crore in cash, though the larger ransom was never completed.
The investigation also revealed Bhatt’s alleged involvement in a separate crypto extortion case, underscoring the complex nature of digital asset-related crimes.

According to The Times of India, the 14 convicted individuals include 11 current or former police officers and former legislator Nalin Kotadiya. Special Judge B.B. Jadav found them guilty of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping for ransom, unlawful detention, and assault, while one accused, Jatin Patel, was acquitted.

The 11 police officers, including Patel, were found guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act for criminal misconduct by public servants, and the court imposed fines in addition to their life sentences.

In February 2018, Bhatt was tricked into visiting a gas station by individuals impersonating officers from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation. He was then abducted, taken to a farmhouse near Gandhinagar, where he was beaten and held at gunpoint while his captors demanded both cryptocurrency and cash.

Bhatt was compelled by his captors to sell 34 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at around $150,000 at the time, and transfer the proceeds to them. Subsequently, they demanded an additional 176 BTC along with ₹32 crore (approximately $3.6 million) in cash, but the courier assigned to deliver the money became suspicious and refused to complete the handover.

Although Bhatt was the victim in the kidnapping, his complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) prompted an investigation that uncovered his alleged involvement in a separate extortion scheme.

In August 2024, India’s Enforcement Directorate arrested Bhatt on charges that include kidnapping and money laundering. He is currently under investigation for his alleged role in another crypto kidnapping, in which he is accused of abducting two BitConnect promoters and extorting thousands of Bitcoin and Litecoin, along with more than ₹14 crore in cash.

Despite the case dating back several years, crypto kidnapping has become more prevalent recently, with analysts pointing to Bitcoin’s record highs as a factor increasing the risk for digital asset holders.

The verdict spotlights growing concerns over the intersection of traditional crime and emerging digital assets, emphasizing the challenges law enforcement faces in keeping pace with evolving financial technologies.

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crypto kidnapping – The Shib Daily

Kidnapper of Canada’s ‘Crypto King’ Pleads Guilty in Wild $16M Saga

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Texas Brothers Charged in Minnesota Crypto Kidnapping and Theft Case

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Crypto Kidnapping: India Jails 14, Including Cops & Ex-MLA

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